Alma 39: The Serious Nature of Sexual Sin

Book of Mormon Student Study Guide, (2000), 127–128

Alma was pleased with his sons Helaman and Shiblon. However, he was not pleased with the immoral behavior of his son Corianton. Alma knew of the pain associated with sin and wanted others to avoid that pain (see Alma 36:11–16). Consequently, he had somewhat more to say to Corianton than his other sons. Notice what Alma counseled his son to do to overcome his sins.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught: “Murderers are forgiven eventually but only in the sense that all sins are forgiven except the sin against the Holy Ghost; they are not forgiven in the sense that celestial salvation is made available to them” (Mormon Doctrine, 520).

Elder Spencer W. Kimball, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained:

“John wrote that ‘no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.’ [1 John 3:15.] The murderer denies himself salvation in the celestial kingdom, and in this sense he cannot be forgiven for his crime. …

“Of course, the laws both of the land and of God recognize a great difference between murder or wilful slaughter and manslaughter which was not premeditated. Likewise men unfortunately must take others’ lives in war” (The Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 127, 129).